Manchester City and Newcastle Look Like the Value

A festive season spectacular is upon us this week; as two teams with flagging fortunes in Manchester City and Blackburn meet, with both looking to return to the high-flying form that had many lauding their talents.

Manchester City has ground out results lately, but has lost the sharp attacking edge that made them such a threat early in the season. Rolando Bianchi has found form with four goals in the last five weeks, but this has coincided with the loss of form to the defense and an injury crisis to key players within the club. They have only lost twice in the last seven games, yet they have only won twice as well, leaving many to wonder where the plucky team that started the EPL season has gone. Michael Johnson will continue his stretch on the sidelines with an abdominal injury, whilst Emile Mpenza is struggling with a minor muscle strain, but is expected to pull through to be available for the Thursday match. Elano will be expected to play the full match after struggling with fitness against Tottenham and Steven Ireland returns from his lengthy three match suspension. The goals will come from the influential Blues midfield, where they boast the attacking prowess of Elano and Martin Petrov, who have both netted four goals in this campaign.

Blackburn has struggled in the last few weeks, after being the high-flying dark horse of the competition only a month ago. They face a trip to the City of Manchester Stadium against a team who has not lost there in the league all season. The Rovers are on a run of three straight defeats in the Premier League and four straight in all competitions. With the added loss of Robbie Savage, Stephen Warnock and Keith Treacyit will be a hard assignment. Roque Santa Cruz has been an inspired pick-up, carrying the Blackburn attack with eleven goals in all competitions and seven in the Premier League, and he will need to be on the top of his game against the aggressive Manchester defence

Blackburn are on a run of poor form and Manchester are at home, where they have lost only once in all competitions this year. I would take the $2.20 available for them at PartyBets

The other value match involves the mercurial Newcastle army taking on the pride of Wigan at the JJB Stadium in a match that Sam Allardyce will have marked down as one to regain his teams attacking prowess.

Newcastle has been disappointments to many this year, but there is still time to salvage their pride and rise up the ladder. Their form has improved considerably as of late with two wins and two draws from their last four games. Their integral players lie in the attacking half, with the offensive prowess of Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka keeping their dreams alive this year, with twelve goals between them. Injury prone forward Michael Owen has trained this week and may make the squad and duo Stephen Carr and Damien Duff have returned from injuries.

Wigan has ridden a rollercoaster of form this year and stopped a long spell of winless results with a win over Blackburn at home two weeks ago. Their fortunes took a hit when prominent forward Emile Heskey was injured for three months, but he is back to partner Marcus Bent up front. Bent has been a shining light for the Latics with seven goals in the Premier League this season; double that of any other Wigan player. Jason Koumas is under major doubt with a groin strain, but Wigan regains the services of tough defender Mario Melchiot after a one match suspension.

Wigan has been poor this year, and Newcastle has the firepower to destroy them but whether they perform is another thing. I still like the $2.60 odds available for Newcastle at PartyBets. They should have enough class to account for Wigan even away from home.

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